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The most
southerly Munro and perhaps the third or fourth most popular mountain
in Scotland. It's position, close to Scotland's largest conurbation and
its closeness to Loch Lomond have made it so. It's name, beacon hill,
probably points to its commanding position as being important for early
warnings of Viking and other war raids. These warriors actually sailed
up Loch Long, dragged their longships over the pass between Arrochar and
Tarbet, then sailed with a flourish down Loch Lomond, striking fear into
native hearts.
This walk
can be made as a circuit, taking in Ben Lomond's westerly spur of Ptarmigan,
or as a more straightforward up and down route avoiding all difficulties.
Either way start at the car park just past Rowardennan Hotel. Notice boards
provide local information and the path starts just beyond them and a public
toilet, going north-east through woods. A brief section up rocky steps
leads to open ground and the grassy slopes of the south ridge.
So popular
is Ben Lomond that path work had to carried out, particularly on the exposed,
middle section of track up Sron Aonaich. This has much improved things
and means much less mud being carried off the hill and into your kitchens!
This section soon leads to the upper summit cone of the mountain, where
the path jigs over more rocky ground leading to the summit ridge. All
too short, this fine wee ridge has a steep drop into the north corrie,
where some short cliffs have provided some winter climbs. A few more tiny
ups and downs and the well-placed summit is gained.
To descend,
either take the same route back or for the more adventurous, drop down
the north-west ridge of the hill, easy scrambling initially, to bend back
south-west along the broad ridge leading to Ptarmigan (731m). Continue
south along the crest or just to its west, before dropping more steeply
alongside a burn which leads back to the road just north of Ardess, with
about one more kilometre to go to gain the car park.
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